TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper (lmhosts) Service Defaults in Windows 11
Provides support for the NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) service and NetBIOS name resolution for clients on the network, therefore enabling users to share files, print, and log on to the network. If this service is stopped, these functions might be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Default Settings
| Startup type: | Manual |
| Display name: | TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper |
| Service name: | lmhosts |
| Service type: | share |
| Error control: | normal |
| Group: | TDI |
| Object: | NT AUTHORITY\LocalService |
| Path: | %SystemRoot%\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNetworkRestricted -p |
| File: | %SystemRoot%\System32\lmhsvc.dll |
| Registry key: | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\lmhosts |
| Privileges: |
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Default Behavior
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper is a Win32 service. In Windows 11 it starts only if the user, an application or another service starts it. When the TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper service is started, it logs on as NT AUTHORITY\LocalService and running in a shared process of svchost.exe. If TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper fails to start, the failure details will be recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 11 should boot up and notify the user about the lmhosts service startup failure.
Dependencies
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper cannot be started, if the Ancillary Function Driver for Winsock service won't start.
Restore Default Startup Configuration of TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper depends are configured by default and function properly. See the list of dependencies above.1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Copy the command below, paste it into the command window and press ENTER:
sc config lmhosts start= demand
3. Close the command window and restart the computer.
The lmhosts service is using the lmhsvc.dll file that is located in the C:\Windows\System32 directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows 11 installation media.